Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office Celebrates National Award for Investigator

Vanderburgh County’s own Criminal Investigator Jon Carter has been recognized nationally for his outstanding work in digital forensics. Carter, who serves in the Vanderburgh County Digital Forensics Lab, was named a “Top Forensic Examiner” by the U.S. Secret Service’s National Computer Forensics Institute (NCFI).

A United States Army veteran, Carter brings over a decade of military special operations education and specialized forces training to his role. Since transitioning into law enforcement, he has accumulated more than 800 hours of advanced digital forensic training through collaborations with state and local agencies, including the Secret Service. His expertise has made him an essential figure in tackling high-profile cases involving murder, narcotics, and crimes against children. To date, he has examined and extracted data from roughly 2,000 devices.

One of Carter’s most notable contributions came in 2024 during the nationally followed trial of State of Indiana v. Elizabeth Fox-Doerr. The communication and location data he retrieved proved pivotal in securing a guilty verdict, underscoring the critical role of digital evidence in modern prosecutions.

To celebrate his achievements, the NCFI will formally present Investigator Carter with the Top Forensic Examiner award on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. at the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office. Media representatives are invited to attend the presentation.

The Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office expressed pride in Carter’s recognition, posting on its official Facebook page: “When I say we have the best, I mean it. Very proud of our investigator on receiving this prestigious award.”

Carter’s recognition highlights not only his personal dedication and skill but also the commitment of Vanderburgh County law enforcement to excellence in serving and protecting the community.